Based in open-plan offices, researchers work in small teams, each of which concentrates on a different area of research. A programme director manages each team, which will also include several research economists and senior research economists as well as external research associates, who regularly come to the office to work alongside other members of the team. The small size of the Institute and its collaborative ethos mean that everyone's contribution is equally valued. Our informal, non-hierarchical approach is exemplified by the division of labour: new research economists are involved in writing up research and communicating its findings to outside audiences as well as in more routine data work.

Programme directors are responsible for securing sufficient research funding and managing the time allocated on projects to members of their team, but research economists can get involved in suggesting ideas for research and writing research proposals as soon as they are ready. In our experience, this approach has promoted independent and innovative thinking and has encouraged researchers to articulate their ideas and findings to a diverse audience with confidence and clarity.

A shared common room and kitchen provides a space where researchers can relax, make coffee, eat lunch and informally discuss their work. A small administrative team arranges conferences to launch research findings, helps researchers to deal with media enquiries and manages the IFS website.

Our location in Bloomsbury is near University College London, where many of our research associates and fellows are based. It is also close to Whitehall and the City, allowing researchers to meet with policymakers and practitioners, who attend many of our in-house briefings and conferences.